The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24
American Nobility.

American Nobility.
What is it? Not that which springs
from royal favoritism, nor from a titled
ancestry, as in England, nor that which
comes from chartered rights, as in
France under Phillip Ill, nor yet that
rank of society which claims, as of
right, the highest civil honors and
privileges above the rest of the people;
no, not any nor all of these classes.
American nobility differs from the
above in that it rises, says an old writer,
mainly "from the attainment of knowl-
edge, virtue, love for moral beauty,
the charms of nature and of art" and,
it may be added, that which springs
from that Christian element which
seeks to relieve and elevate our COM
mon brotherhood.
There are many displays of the above
characteristics and many generous
deeds done in our city and other parts
of our beloved country by noble hearts
which seldom meet the public eye till
their authors have passed to their
reward.
1t may serve the cause of truth and
humanity to state two or three ex-
amples, especially of the latter class.
Some years ago the following incident
occurred respecting the late Horace b.
Clatlin, the well-known merchant
prince, which will bear repetition. One
day, about five O'Clock in the evening,
Mr.. Claflin was sitting alone in his
private office, when a young man, pale
and careworn, timidly knocked, and,
entering, said, " Mr.. Claflin, am in
need of help. / have been unable to
meet certain payments because certain
parties have not done what they prom
Used to do by me, and | would like to
have ten thousand dollars. | come to
you because you were friend of my
fathers and l thought you would be
friend to me-
60 Come in,'' said Claflin; " come in
and have a glass of of wine"
NO." said the young man, " don't
drink"
I" Have a cigar, then.''
" No, / never smoke"
Well" said Mr.. Clahin, 81 would
like to accommodate you, but / don't
think CAM
Every WELL" said the other, as he
was about to leave the room. 81 thought
perhaps you might; good-day, sir"
" Hold on,' said Mr.. Clatlin. d" You
don't drink"
"No, sir"
"Nor smoke?'
4" No, sir.n
Nor gamble, nor anything of the
kind?"
" No, sir; l am superintendent of
- Sunday-school."
g WE'LL" said Mr.. Clahin, with deep
feeling, you shall have it, and three
times that amount if you wish it. Your
father let me have five thousand dollars
once, and asked me the same ques-
tons. He trusted me and | will trust
you. No thanks, no thanks; | owe you
for your fathers trust"
Some time ago number of the poor
people of Columbia, S. c., were putting
up a new church building, at cost of
something over $4,000. Among its
members was a colored woman living
in very comfortable house, who sub
scribed $500; and in order to pay it
left the comforts and conveniences of
her own home, let it out at reasonable
rent, and to save that for the Lords
house she took up her abode in a mere
shanty. This may pass with the world
as matter of small note, but is it not
an expression of a great heart-the
self-abnegation of one of the Lords
nobility? The church and the world
would be all the richer and the better
for just such great hearts if there were
more of them in the world.
Allow me to state another fact. Some
years ago, in time of financial pres
sure, young merchant whom l well
knew had note in a bank which
would mature on a certain date in 1853.
This fact he carried in his mind and it
grew more weighty and more and more
perpeXing as the time for payment
drew on. AS an honest man, wishing
promptly to meet every obligation, he
strained every nerve to meet this. All
his efforts, however, so far had failed.
Collecting debts for the time being
was simply out of the question. Trade
generally was at a stand-still and cash
sales were not thought of. "What is to
be done?" he asked himself again and
again. And as he was praying man
/ doubt not but he carried the question
up to " the higher court" and laid il
before the Supreme Judge. Friend
after friend was called on in this emer-
gency without avail. AT length the
last day and almost the last hour
came, and only a small amount had
been collected. Finally the thought
came to him: "There is the friend OF
my boyhood, William f. Dodge
Cheered with the feeling of assurance
at once he fastened off to Cliff street
Fortunately he found Mr.. Dodge in his
office and lost no time in stating his
case his pressing need. Without
further words Mr.. Dodge requested his
cashier to draw check for the re,
quired amount. OF course the young
merchant wasted no breath in compli
mentary remarks. His glad feet car
ried him in quick time to the bank /
was happy turn in the mercantile lif,
of that young mana special provi
dence, he regarded it, for it seemed al
though the check had dropped from
heaven. Did he, could he ever forge
his benefactor or cease to thanl
heaven? No, no; never 1t is enough
to say that he continued to grow il
favor with all the dealers in his line o
business. The divine blessing wa
upon him; he prospered in his efforts
business increased to much larger pro
portions, and he himself became ligh